2007 NHL Eastern Conference Preview

September 25th, 2007

It’s almost time for the NHL Hockey betting season to get under way. Before the puck drops on the regular season, here are some of Tim Furious’ picks for the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Complete with Stanley Cup odds, these Eastern powerhouse teams have Tim all riled up…

1. Ottawa Senators (+800 to win Stanley Cup)

The Senators are officially the popular girls in the East. They’ve been together for a long time, know the ropes, the rules of the game and how to get what they want. The trio of Spezza-Alfredson-Heatley is a lot like the popular posse of Regina-Gretchen-Karen from “Mean Girls”. They’re going to beat up on all the new comers until somebody outsmarts them.

The difference between the Eastern Conference and my niece’s favorite movie is that the Senators are not going to lose. They’re one of the favorites to win the East at +800 in our sportsbook but the Rangers and Penguins are going to try and play the role of Cady. (If you haven’t seen the movie, I’m not going to apologize. You should have.)

What does this team have besides the highest scoring offense in the league from last season? Chemistry. The most important intangible in this league is chemistry, and they have it in boatloads. The top-line is virtually unstoppable and Ray Emery is shining as the newcomer to the status of ‘elite goaltender’.

Don’t bet against the Senators if you like your dollars lining your wallet during this coming regular season. These guys are going to be just as good in the regular season as they will in the post season, and should be considered the favorites to represent the East again this year in the Stanley Cup, which makes them a safe bet in our NHL futures.

2. New York Rangers (+750)

Hello, Summer Makeover Girl! You know who I’m talking about. She was decent last year, a bit of a head turner, but she couldn’t qualify as a stunner. Then summer passes, school starts and she comes stepping through the doors with a brand new set of stars (Gomez and Drury). Now everyone’s noticing her. Say hello to the New York Rangers.

At +750, here come the New York Rangers as your favorites to win the East. There was a lot about this team to like last year, but now there’s even more. Their cousins, the New York Knicks, could learn a thing or two about free-agency from these guys.

The only thing that concerns me about the Rangers is team chemistry. Drury and Gomez are character, glue guys that are fantastic in the locker room. But the girl who got the implants is just as susceptible to back pain, adjustments and rising attention from the boys. This team will have to deal with adding two superstars to an already star filled team, and that lack of chemistry is the edge that Ottawa has over New York.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins (+1000)

Last year the Penguins were the young, new girl in town. She fought her way for respect all through first year, but when it came to the end of the year, the popular girls got the best of her because, after all, she had no idea what to expect. Same goes for the Penguins who got a full dose of gravity as they were crushed in the first round last year by Ottawa.

The Penguins and Sidney Crosby learned the hard way that the NHL playoffs are a whole different world. It’s rougher, tougher and the pressure can crush you like a bug. But these boys will flourish in the regular season, as they did last season against the spread. Malkin, Staal and Crosby are three of the best young players in the game and will carry the load once more as they receive more veteran leadership.

This team is a few solid blue-liners away from a Stanley Cup. Ryan Whitney is a great scorer and point man, but defending the crease has to become a priority in Pittsburgh. That’s where Darryl Sydor comes in. Not only will he steady the blue-line, his leadership from the point will be essential for teaching the young Penguins how to peak and flourish in the playoffs.

4. New Jersey Devils (+1000)

Why is everyone being so hard on the Devils? They lost a couple big names and were devoured in the playoffs. So what? These are the Devils we’re talking about! One of the best drafting teams in the league can never be counted out in the talent-thin NHL. And with one of the best goalies in the league there isn’t a lot to hate.

Consider the Devils the girl in your life that you’ve always been able to rely on. She’s always saved you when you’re in a jam (Martin Brodeur), can offer the best advice at the worst of times (best penalty killing team in the league) although she can’t be considered sexy. And, unfortunately, you never notice her until it’s too late and she’s off with a really good mate of yours (playoffs). That’s the Devils in a nutshell.

Don’t be scared to take a dive with old faithful over here at +1000. They may not be sexy, but they’re definitely steady and reliable and you can trust on their regular season success. And isn’t trust what it’s all about? If you’re a betting man, then it definitely is.

5. Philadelphia Flyers (+1000)

Remember that seriously ugly girl from high school that was probably really smart but you never really hung out with? And then you get to the ten year reunion and she’s a drop-dead bombshell with legs up to her ears and a chest you could rest a teacup on? Remember that girl? Well that’s thePhilladelphia Flyers in 2007-08.

The sexy pick for this year was a bottom feeding, cellar dweller last year with zero hope. Then they signed Daniel Briere, traded for Marty Biron at the end of last season, and brought in Scott Hartnell as well. They’re a total wildcard, but worth a gander with +1000 odds. Whether they can handle the pressure or not is up to them. Whether you cash in on their obvious potential is up to you.

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6. Atlanta Thrashers (+2500)

This team brings back the one-two knockout punch of Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk, while the unheralded Kari Lehtonen protects the crease with all his might. This team will make the playoffs in a horribly weak Southeast division, but they’re still soft in terms of leadership.

Regular season wins will come easily to this insanely fast team, but playoffs will be a tougher call for them. Don’t bet on these Thrashers escaping the first round until they find someone to be the heart and soul of this team (and no, a Russian will never suffice).

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (+3500)

The Leafs are usually under the heat of the spotlight, but now some key components of this franchise are burning on the hot seat. I’m looking at you John Ferguson. The GM largely responsible for putting this rag-tag team together is losing the faith of Leaf Nation, and the NHL betting investors in the process.

Mats Sundin is entering the twilight of his career, and Jason Blake is going to be the only chance he has at a Stanley Cup because, after this season, it’s hard to imagine Sundin playing at a high level again. The Andrew Raycroft experience is thankfully over and the Leafs wisely invested in Vesa Toskola. At +3500, this is a great flier team because they could surprise a ton of so-called experts as the major sleeper of the East.

8. Carolina Hurricanes (+3000)

The Canes have to prove they can stay healthy if they want to move up in the rankings. They’re a great team to invest in as the oddsmakers have lost faith in them at +3000. Injuries to star goalie Cam Ward and power-forward Eric Staal buried this team last season. But even then they missed the playoffs by a measly four points.

Take a flier on this team in our NHL futures to advance to the playoffs by winning the Southeast division, but don’t hold your breath for Stanley Cup gold just yet.

9. Tampa Bay Lightning (+2500)

I will say this until I am blue in the face and purple in the finger tips. You can’t win in the NHL with one line and no defenseman. As good as Lecavlier and St. Louis are, they proved in last year’s playoffs that one-trick ponies are led to slaughter by deeper teams. Keep your betting dollars safe from these flickering Lightning.

10. Buffalo Sabres (+1800)

So they lost their two best players and added…oh my god…Jocelyn Thibault?! Why on earth have the oddsmakers kept them at +1800? This team is going to have trouble making the playoffs in a heated division. Don’t lose sleep over your NHL futures investments. Stay away.

11. New York Islanders (+4000)

Every time this team seems to get it together at the end of the season, the roster gets blown up and they have to start all over again. Goodbye Jason Blake, Alexei Yashin (about time!) and Ryan Smyth. Hello Mike Comrie, Bill Guerin and Josef Vasicek. Ted Nolan is one of the most underrated coaches of the year, but the oddsmakers have the Islanders at +4000 because there are too many question marks surrounding this team to make them worth even taking a flier on. Keep your distance until we see more from what Nolan does with this essentially new roster.

12. Washington Capitals (+5000)

The Capitals have suffered through such a miserable existence of losing that it’s hard to ever get pumped about them. They boast one of the most exciting players in the league in Alexander Ovechkin, and added Michael Nylander who was an exceptional center for Jagr last season. But there’s a reason you shouldn’t be placing any bets on this +5000 underdog to win the Stanley Cup. Olaf Kolzig has to be the most overrated goalie of all time, or somewhere absurdly high on that list.

13. Montreal Canadiens (+3500)

Cristobal Huet still in net? Ok, thanks. Next!

14. Boston Bruins (+5000)

With the Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox all poised to make great runs, there had to be one team dragging up the rear in Bean Town. And here are the Boston Bruins!

15. Florida Panthers (+4500)

If you don’t know hockey, the Panthers are the Arizona Cardinals of the NHL. every year people expect them to make the leap into the playoffs. And they never do. In fact, they never even come close. Tomas Vokoun aside, this team has so much to work on and considering how much hype they garner every preseason, their ranking should serve as a clear warning. Keep your betting dollars safely away from this frustrating Panthers squad.

For all NHL odds, visit Betus.com

Posted on 9/25/2007 4:49:06 PM
NHL Betting 2007 Preview - The Beasts Of The East
By Tim Furious

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